COVID-19 Fallout: Over 200,000 Moroccan Students Shift from Private to Public Schools

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a massive exodus of students from the private to the public sector. If previously the trend was to enroll in private institutions, this time it is the private educational establishments that are suffering the blow. Parents have had to move their children from private educational institutions to public schools. This situation stems from the fact that parents’ monthly incomes have collapsed. Official statistics indicate that "55% of Moroccan families’ incomes have been affected by the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic", said Fouad Benchekroun, president of the National Council of Private Educational and Training Institutions in Morocco, reports Hespress.

Part of the population has therefore proceeded to transfer their children to public schools to reduce expenses. But this exodus has also affected public institutions. We can mention the fact that the capacity of public education, which was already suffering from overcrowding in its school and university departments, is even more so, stressed Fouad Benchekroun.

"In all Moroccan cities, we note that the percentage of students who have left private schools is around 20%, which represents about 200,000 students. With this indicator, we must fear that the quality of school results will take a hit, he stressed.

With this exodus phenomenon, we must fear the risks of bankruptcy for private educational institutions. The government must act quickly to find a solution to this situation.